Two months ago few could have imagined a Premier League clash between Manchester City and Chelsea would have little bearing on the title race yet Sunday's fixture is likely to be eclipsed by top against bottom battles.
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With 12 games left, champions City are 12 points adrift of leaders Manchester United, who visit bottom side Queens Park Rangers on Saturday, while third- placed Chelsea are a further four points behind.
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With their title challenges all but over and Champions League spots looking likely, the focus has switched to respective managers Roberto Mancini and Rafael Benitez, who know that any defeat can harm their job prospects long-term.
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Benitez is only in charge at Stamford Bridge until the end of the season but his hopes of a more permanent role seem doomed because of his unpopularity with the fans. Meanwhile, media reports have speculated that Mancini could be axed in May.
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Chelsea skipper John Terry, desperate to get back in the first team for league matches after a spell on the bench following injury, believes the club have plenty to play for and not just in the FA Cup and Europa League.
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"This season has been a little disappointing, we've let Man U get so many points ahead of us, but everyone is dropping points and we can still easily get second place," he said.
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"If we can go on a run, with the two boys back from the African Nations (Victor Moses and John Obi Mikel)
, we have a real chance."
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The Sun newspaper was forced to publish an apology on Wednesday over an incorrect story about a bust- up between Terry and Benitez but whether the former England captain starts at City on Sunday (1330) remains to be seen.
that would be clash of the titans.dnt even know who would be victorious
any team could win